Chapter 198: Operation I

Reiji, Odette, and Yui's operations have started. 

They have to steal the Cursed Mask Arcana in a secured room within the Tower without being caught.

They have to evade the security's sight and the Administrator's detection… 

Yui has made a lot of preparations prior to this and Reiji only needed to participate in one of the most critical parts…

'The Cursed Mask is located on the 9th Floor. There is a room called Arcana Essence Chamber where the mask is being kept…' Odette started to explain. Since they could communicate without any voice, Yui decided to let her Arcana explain everything.

'You said that it is prohibited for any Black Robe, Red Robe, or Gray Robe wearer there…' Reiji wanted to clarify the details he heard.

'That's right… Only some officials with the Tower's Emblem are allowed to be on that floor. However, it doesn't mean that the floor is closed itself. There are guards living on that floor and we'll use them.'

'Guards?'

'Yes… They are people directly hired by the Administrator as I've heard. No one knows their background or names as ever since they entered the tower, they've never gone outside…'

'That sounds scary…' 

'Yes… They are like machines that will only move based on the orders given…'

Reiji heard about it and was reminded about slaves… It seems that the Chalice used some kind of Arcane Magic on those people. 

Anyway, it was only his guess based on what he heard. 

'Before anything else, what are your thoughts about the Administrator? Have you met him already?' Reiji was curious whether Odette knows its secrets as well…

'Yes… But we shouldn't be talking about that…'

'Eh? Why? Is it some kind of a taboo?'

'Haa~ Let me make it clear… You've seen the Chalice, correct?'

'Yes…'

'But how about your wielder and the others?'

'They saw differently… That's why I'm curious…'

Reiji replied. Apparently, during the oath-taking, Rufus and the four other Arcanists did not see a floating Chalice just like what he did…

Instead, what they saw is an old man who gave them instructions about the tower and made them swear an oath that mainly says that they needed to be on the side of the Tower no matter what happens.

He checked Rufus's status after the oath but didn't find any curse binding them or any status ailments so he didn't think too much about it.

'That's correct… None of the Arcanists in this tower had seen the Chalice. Aside from that, they would barely remember anything within that room and as you've noticed, none of them had even talked about the Administrator after they've gone out of the room…'

'Well, I thought that it's weird as well…'

'Yes… Because the Chalice had used an Arcane Magic…'

'Is it magic that can alter memories?'

'No, not that strong… But perhaps to make suggestions… and for them to avoid recalling what happened in that room aside from completing the oath.'

'Then, why can't we talk about it as well…'

'Mhmm… I just have a feeling… I'm sure that it noticed us as well and it didn't do anything to us… It must've something in mind. I don't want to go against that dangerous Arcana so it's better not to think about it.'

'But we're about to steal a Cursed Arcana, right?'

'Yes… But I have a feeling that he wouldn't mind it. I can somehow feel that this Arcana we saw was on the Neutral side between the Cursed Arcana and the Blessed Arcana … which also means that it wouldn't act against us as long as we don't destroy the tower. Anyway, the Mask was brought here by some greedy Red Robed Arcanists and not the Administrator himself.'

Reiji felt better that there is a senior Arcana living here… Though they were summoned here on this world on the same day, the Wand seemed to be very knowledgeable and very easy to talk with.

Anyway, even if the chalice would act against them, he still has some method to save himself from the disaster… Though it may not be the same for Ruthren and Rufus if he somehow got involved.

'Yui and I will begin clearing up any problems from outside the floor and you just have to wait for us… If you have all the status resistance ready, we'll start the operation….'

'Yes… Good luck!'

'Mhmm…'

Their connection was cut off as Yui and Odette's presence disappeared…

'Rufus and Ruthren… Stay within your room and do not go outside.'

'Y-yes, Master…'

Rufus replied and he felt the seriousness within his Master's voice. There must be something about to happen within the Tower…

He yawned for a moment and decided to just trust his master… He fixed his bed and grabbed a blanket with him as he found himself sleepy.

On the other hand, Ruthren was in the servant room near Rufus's as he continued cleaning the sword and other magic items under his care. 

***

Reiji hid somewhere on the stairway connecting the 8th and 9th Floors as he waited for the signal. 

Paralyzing Fog!

Yui boldly used an Arcane Magic that can be seen with naked eyes… If the fog was seen by the guards, they would immediately act and sound the alarm. This is not something they want to happen.

However, he didn't have to worry for too long as they cast another Arcane Magic…

Illusory Wave!

The accumulating gray fog had suddenly turned transparent as it concentrated to the floor where the Essence Chamber was...

Yui had also used various Arcane Magic to ensure that the floor would be completely isolated from the outside…

'They've hidden their Spiritual Energy and perhaps Mystical Energy very well… I couldn't sense them doing anything if I didn't focus enough…'

Whenever someone cast magic, there should be a form of disturbance in the surrounding energy which would allow them to trace the phenomena. However, the Blessed Wand Arcana seems to be very well versed in this as it completely avoided Reiji's senses…

It must be one of her outstanding Arcane Magic or perhaps the trait of the Deity that blessed her.

***

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Reiji was jolted after hearing the sound of weapons clashing…

'They already found out?!' The shinai felt a bit worried but he didn't act yet.

'Reiji… The guards here aren't humans. They're puppets or something… Tsk… We have miscalculated… Luckily, Yui is wearing disguise magic so she won't be recognized.'

'What should I do?'

'Yui and I will hold them off with her Taunt Skill… The barrier we cast should last for five more minutes… You can head inside the Chamber now!'

'Alright! I'm coming!'

Once Reiji has disabled all the traps and problems within the chamber, Yui should be going in to take the mask with her and hide it somewhere… He wasn't exactly sure where.

Sword Kinesis!

He flew rapidly and arrived almost instantly in front of the Chamber. 

He can feel the deadly aura within that room like he was about to enter a lion's den. He glanced at Yui fighting against 20 puppet guards… 

'She's really good…'

Reiji praised the young girl's combat skills. 

After confirming that Yui can hold them off, he glanced at the chamber…

His Traceless, Stealth, and title's effect is activated so he wasn't detected by the guards yet, or perhaps it was due to Yui's taunting magic that made them ignore him… He can't really tell for now…

The door to the chamber has a gap that Yui has opened for him as he headed inside…

[ You have resisted Frostbite. ] 

[ You have resisted Corrosion. ] 

His status resistance immediately took effect after entering the Essence Chamber!

'Just what kind of place is this?'

The room is dark and empty except for the pillar made of glass at the center of the room.

If not for the single glowing crystal within the room, he would barely see anything within and he has to rely on his senses instead. 

'Ho~ I have a visitor?' 

As Odette has warned, the Mask Arcana was indeed a Sentient… He wasn't surprised at the eerie voice.

Reiji decided to ignore him as he looks for the core of the defensive array inside… 

[ You have been affected by Corrosion. ] 

[ Your durability has decreased by 5. ] 

[ Your durability has decreased by 5. ] 

It is decreasing every 3 seconds or so… It seems that the corrosion is getting stronger the longer he stays here… 

"Guide, upgrade the Corrosion and Ice Resistance to level 10!"

Right now, they are only level 5. He thought that it was enough to deal with the issue. However, it seems that he underestimated the chamber. 

'I have to hurry…' Reiji concentrated as he looks for any unusual thing inside the room.

'Hey! Are you ignoring me? If you're looking for the Core of this array… It is the door itself! If you destroy that thick steel… The array would be gone together with it…'

'Mhmm..'

'What are you hesitating? Aren't you sent by the Execration? Trust me!'

Reiji was reminded after hearing that… Execration is the counterpart of the Mind Collection. Instead of Blessed Arcana leading them, it is being led by a Cursed Arcana.

Nevertheless, he couldn't find the core so he decided to just destroy the chamber's door. Anyway, there is already a commotion happening outside.

It shouldn't be a problem if he added something more.